A: In general, a large local reaction like the one you experienced does not increase your risk for having an anaphylactic (“life-threatening”) reaction to a future sting. The treatments for large localized reactions include cold compress-es, antihis-tamines and occasion-ally pain relievers (Tylenol or Motrin). Insect stings are also a common cause of severe allergic reactions. Symptoms of a severe reaction might include hives, swelling of the skin away from the area that was stung, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath or throat discomfort. If you ever experience any of these symptoms, you should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, you should make an appointment to see an allergy specialist for testing and possibly venom immunotherapy (allergy shots), which can decrease the risk of anaphylaxis by 97 percent.

Over the last two decades, the number of people diagnosed with asthma has increased significantly, resulting in approximately 34 million sufferers. Asthma causes nearly 500,000 hospitalizations and nearly 4,000 deaths each year. It is a serious problem that, if left untreated, not only lowers your quality of life, but also causes a staggering 23 million missed school and workdays annually. Dr. Todd Levin, a boardcertified allergist at Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, remembers asthma affecting him as a young boy.

“Growing up, I had asthma and didn’t really understand what is was and why it caused so much trouble for me, especially when it came to participating in sports,” said Levin. Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways deep in the lungs. The inflammation can be caused by a number of factors including allergies, infections, and environmental irritants. Up to 80 percent of asthmatics have allergies that can set off symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and difficulty exercising. “Just as allergies can cause runny nose and congestion, they can produce inflammation of the airways when they attack the lungs, triggering asthma attacks,” said Levin. Infections and irritants, such as smoke and pollution, can also lead to airway inflammation. This inflammation causes thickening in the lining of the lungs, mucus production, and twitching of the small airways that leads to wheezing.

“The key to treating asthma is controlling inflammation,” said Levin. “There are a variety of medications and other treatment that can do this.” These include controller medications such as inhaled steroids like Flovent and QVAR, combined steroids and long acting bronchodilators like Advair and Dulera, and Leukotriene Receptor Blockers like Singulair. Albuterol is often prescribed in addition to controller medications as it temporarily relieves the symptoms of asthma without affecting inflammation. “Patients may worry about long term use of steroids, until I explain to them that these inhaled steroids are generally very safe in the doses used to treat asthma,” said Levin.

Widespread use of inhaled steroids has helped to decrease rates of asthma problems. Still, if you have to take a few of these medicines together, it can be overwhelming. Levin says that many long time asthma sufferers initially come to his office looking for a way to decrease their reliance on multiple medications.

“One way to decrease your need for medications is to avoid allergic triggers,” he said.

“The first step is to find out what you are allergic to with a simple, 15 minute skin test performed by your boardcertified allergist. After you discover your allergies, you can start avoiding them.” For instance, dust mite exposure can be decreased with dust mite covers and special cleaning techniques. Mold can be reduced with dehumidifiers.

After avoidance, the best way to decrease reliance on medication is to use allergy immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots. “Immunotherapy harnesses the power of your own immune system to decrease sensitivity to the mold, pets, mites, or pollens that are causing all the problems,” said Levin. A recent study showed that people receiving dust mite immunotherapy were able to cut their inhaled steroid dose in half compared to similarly allergic patients not on shots. Immunotherapy patients typically have fewer asthma attacks and use less rescue medications, resulting in reduced time spent in the emergency room. “Better asthma control is cheaper in the long run,” said Levin.

“And many studies have shown that immunotherapy saves money over time.” Successfully controlling a patient’s asthma can dramatically increase their quality of life, but there is one important question asked by many of Levin’s asthma patients: What can they do to possibly prevent their children from developing asthma?

“Asthma can be inherited and research shows that having allergies, particularly to mold, pets, and mites, can increase the risk of developing asthma,” said Levin. “In fact, 40 percent of all allergic patients can go on to develop asthma.” Parents shouldn’t feel helpless in this case. “Starting allergy shots early cuts a patients’ risk of developing asthma by 50 percent,” said Levin.

Recently, Yale researchers reported that people who regularly took antihistamines were heavier than people who did not- up to a 10 pound difference! At this time, it is unclear if the antihistamines caused the problem or if obesity itself triggered the allergies. We do know that histamine, which is released in allergic people, reduces appetite and can trigger fat burning. Zyrtec, Allegra and other antihistamines may block this positive effect. Your allergist can prescribe different medicines that don’t block histamine. Allergy Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may decrease or eliminate the need for medications entirely.

For runners, Yoga can be the best post-race activity to get your body back to normal.

Put down the coffee and forget the power nap. These poses will get you more energy Studies show that some yoga poses reduce fatigue and adjust the hormone cortisol—too little of which can zap your energy. "This sequence engages your core and energizes your system from the inside out," says Women's Health yoga expert Tara Stiles. The poses also require balance, which sharpens your focus, as well as lots of deep breaths, which increase your oxygen intake to help you feel more alert. Do each of these moves in order, holding the poses for 10 deep breaths. Repeat the sequence on the other side, and continue alternating until you've done the routine three times on each side.

You may be swapping your running shorts for leggings and zipping up your windbreaker before heading out for a run these days, but just because you’re not sweating as much doesn’t mean you should skimp on hydration.

Staying hydrated, even in the winter, is important for getting the most out of your run. In a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, a group of 14 competitive runners were asked to complete three self-paced 4K laps, resting four minutes between each lap. They performed this same run in warm conditions on two different occasions.

For one of the trials, they were asked to restrict their fluid intake for 22 hours beforehand and were not allowed to drink during the run. Before the other trial, they arrived well hydrated and were given water during each rest break.

Researchers monitored their heart rates, gastrointestinal temperatures, race time, and perceived exertion during both trials. When running while properly hydrated, the runners had lower core body temperatures, safer heart rates, and they finished significantly faster.

A: Unless you’ve already got guns like Madonna, start up top. Most women’s upper-body muscles are weaker than their lower-body ones, so their upper-body workout may require more focus and effort, says fitness expert Karen Joseph, owner of Fountain of Fitness in Valrico, Florida.

Studies show that plowing through tough exercises while you’re still fresh helps prevent injury (since you move with more control) and maximizes efficiency (since you won’t slack off on form or speed).

Joseph suggests working large muscle groups, like the chest and back, before smaller ones (triceps, biceps, and forearms) and doing multi-joint moves, such as bench presses or pullups, before isolated movements like biceps curls. Get them all in two or three times a week for a leaner, tighter body.